Gas prices are up 13.3% so far in 2012. The average price is down 40 cents, or about 9.7%, from the record high of $4.11 reported on July 17, 2008.

Average prices for regular gasoline are more than $4 a gallon in California, Alaska and Hawaii. Gas prices are just shy of the $4 mark in New York, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C., according to AAA. The lowest average gas prices are in Wyoming and Colorado, where a gallon is going for less than $3.20.

Gas prices have been rising on the back of soaring oil prices, which have surged 10% over the past month amid fears that tensions with Iran will lead to an all-out war that causes a disruption in oil supplies.

On Monday, TransCanada (TRP) announced that it will move forward with parts of the Keystone XL pipeline, which will boost the flow of crude oil from the oil sands of Canada to the Gulf Coast. While the White House denied a more controversial proposal earlier this year, this portion does not require federal approval and is expected to be operational in 2013.

As gas prices soar, Republican candidates are looking to tie Obama's policies to the increase.